There was in Downing Street yesterday some political intrigue, partner swapping, murder, jealousy, a grasping wife, a few witches, and a man who behaved like an ass.

Some would say such dramas reflected another day in the corridors of power, but as Tony Blair discussed world crises with President George Bush, their wives watched scenes from Shakespeare.

Children aged 11 to 15 performed in No 10 abridged scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard III, and Macbeth.

The First Lady may even have got to see a Bottom, though not one belonging to a protester as she might have expected. Indeed, Laura Bush said that the protests against her husband's state visit had been much smaller than she had been expecting.

Speaking after the shows by children from the Shakespeare Schools Festival, she said: "We haven't seen that many protests. But we have seen many American flags and people welcoming us."

"I don't think the protests have been as large as predicted."

The Queen, said the First Lady, had been "very hospitable and welcoming".

She added: "Someone from Texas might be a little amazed to be staying at Buckingham Palace. The Queen has tried to make us feel comfortable ... and thanks to all the people of Great Britain for their hospitality."

She said that one of the "thrills" of staying at the palace was that she could walk around the galleries and see on display the art from the royal collection.

She had also watched preparations for last night's state banquet, and the attention to detail paid by royal staff, including measuring the distance between place settings.

"We have banquets at home but we're not exactly that exact," she confided.

Asked about the meeting earlier yesterday with the relatives of British servicemen and women in Iraq, Mrs Bush said the families were "incredibly strong".

"We went to comfort them but they really ended up comforting us. Most of them said: 'Stay the course'."